World Teachers’ Day celebrated across Newfoundland and Labrador

The dedication and contributions of teachers and educators across Newfoundland and Labrador are being celebrated today (Thursday) as part of World Teachers’ Day.

There are more than 5,600 teachers who work in classroom settings and administrative roles in this province.

“In my role as minister of education and early childhood development, through my work as an educator, and as a parent, I have experienced the unique ability of teachers to nurture, guide and inspire students,” Dale Kirby said in a news release.

“Today, I sincerely thank all of our teachers for their enduring dedication to their students and the teaching profession.”

World Teacher’s Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) in 1994 and is celebrated annually on Oct. 5.

The 2017 edition of World Teachers’ Day celebrated the 20th anniversary of the 1997 UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of higher-education reaching personnel with a special focus on institutional autonomy and academic freedom to encompass this year’s slogan “Teaching in freedom, empowering teachers.”

UNESCO says teachers are the single most influential and powerful force for equity, access and quality in education.

A celebration of the anniversary is being held at UNESCO’s world headquarters in Paris.